The University of Tennessee men's basketball team got an early jump on final exams Saturday morning at Pratt Pavilion.
But the test associate head coach Tony Jones provided was of a different sort.
"I was Sergeant Jones today,'' said Jones, who ran practice with coach Bruce Pearl out of town recruiting. "My goal was to make somebody puke - but that didn't happen. They responded with great focus and determination to the challenge, and they are to be commended.''
Most all of the 90-minute workout was conditioning as the Vols look to regain the winning edge they have exhibited the first three years of Pearl's tenure.
UT is off today and will return to practice Monday as it preps for Saturday's game in Philadelphia against Temple.
"This was a different type of test for them,'' Jones said. "Sometimes, when the head coach isn't there, they might expect things will be a little lighter.
"But they understood that wasn't going to be tolerated and they responded.''
The Vols are 6-1 and ranked No. 10 in the country, whereas last year's team was 6-1 at this point of the season and ranked No. 11.
But ask anyone on the coaching staff - or any of the returning players - and they'll tell you this group isn't playing as well as last season's edition.
"There are five newcomers,'' Jones said. "I would think we should hit our stride around the New Year, and hopefully continue that momentum into the SEC season and then the NCAA tournament.''
Here's an early assessment of how the top 10 players in the Vols' rotation are faring:
Wayne Chism (C+)
Chism is averaging 10 points and seven rebounds per game, and his free throw shooting has improved significantly since last season.
Chism, however, still is not as dominant as he can be defensively and has yet to hit stride in the halfcourt offense.
Brian Williams (B-)
Williams is leading the team with 8.1 rebounds per game despite playing only 15 minutes per game. Williams, like Chism, is hitting over 70 percent of his free throws.
Williams still doesn't play big enough offensively, missing a key putback in the loss to Gonzaga.
Emmanuel Negadu (C)
Negadu has proven to be every bit the athlete he was billed to be, and his rebounding, free throw shooting and defense are to be commended.
Negadu, however, has no scoring presence outside of his put-backs and must improve his understanding of the offense greatly to be more of a factor.
Tyler Smith (A-)
The offense most always runs through Smith, so his scoring numbers are to be expected. Smith has also done well getting to the free throw line and distributing the ball.
Smith has yet to make himself a threat on the perimeter, however, and his seven steals rank only third on the team.
J.P. Prince (B)
A tremendous penetrator, he's hitting over 60-percent on his two-point attempts and has been more of an inside force than last season.
Prince has been nicked up with a shoulder, and more recently, ankle injury, but he must improve his 3-point shooting and defense.
Renaldo Woolridge (C+)
The biggest surprise in the freshman class so far, Woolridge has been fearless - and streaky - with his outside shooting.
Woolridge leads the team in blocked shots and is making an effort to play physical inside, but his defense is subpar for a UT wing, and his .429 free throw-percentage won't do.
Scotty Hopson (C)
Hopson's grade does not reflect his immense talent, but rather, his progress.
Hopson has the highest 3-point percentage on the team (50 percent), but he has only shot five free throws, an indication he's not playing aggressively enough.
Hopson has work to do on defense and in understanding the offense, as his low-assist total reflects.
Cameron Tatum (B-)
Tatum plays with more defensive intensity than Hopson or Woolridge, and he has shown he can hit the 3-pointer in the clutch as well.
That said, Tatum must continue to improve in all facets to hold his minutes, and he can start with his free throws (.647).
Bobby Maze (B+)
Maze has an incredible assist/turnover ratio (36/8), and his perimeter defense has been impressive.
Maze shoots a good enough percentage than he needs to take more shots, both driving and on the perimeter .
Josh Tabb (C-)
A bit tough on Tabb considering he recently switched to point guard, but big things are expected from the veteran junior.
Tabb's shutdown defense is expected, but his free throw percentage (.364) is horrendous, and he must push to learn the offense better.
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Comments » 38
dopedawg writes:
Get tough guys!!! Practice and play hard. bring your intensity to the top. We love ya!!!! Go Vols!!!
VolinCalif writes:
We'll be right there in Mar. This team is very good. Come Jan the Vols will win over Gonzaga. My Grand daughter is a student at Gonzaga. She and I will attend the game, loser must buy the shirts and hats of the winning team to wear when we're togather again. Can't wait. Go Vols
ncvol writes:
Seems as if praise always works better in the scheme of things than ridicule. They have won some big games already.
They are holding their own and we have a lot to be thankful for. Several teams lost this weekend. Hang in there guys - and continue to play tough.
Go Vols !
NorthwestVol writes:
I've not seen enough of the games to comment on the individual players, but on the whole, with the young players they have, they are looking good to me. Add to that Pearl's constant demand for improvement, it beats the heck out of football.
GoVols133 writes:
Young and improving
bosscat writes:
Does anyone else get tired of writers playing coach and grading/evaluating players? What does it accomplish? Do they figure the players will read the article and say to themselves, "Gosh, I'm sure glad this writer told me where I'm screwing up. I know now what I need to do. Sure wish Coach Pearl or one of the other coaches had given me this valuable critique. I guess I had better get my butt in gear and try harder." Hey, here's a suggestion: Let's start grading the writers. I've got a grade for Adams, especially after that interview he did with Paul Finebaum. Seriously, every one of us has lots of room for improvement. That said, I've watched lots of college BB the last few weeks. Our Vols hustle and play hard for 60 minutes and they are very good athletes. Combine that with some great coaching and we've got a team that we can support with great pride, win or lose.
seofeed writes:
I'm with BossCat. I don't agree with evaluating individual players. The team as a whole, absolutely, but not individual players. It's not about their performance. Singling them out could create all sorts of problems in their minds. Don't agree with publishing this article at all. The assessment is good just not sure the intent is correct. GO VOLS! Always exciting to watch you guys play.
Mullet writes:
they grade the individual players for the entertainment value; nothing more. Agree or disagree -- welcome to the media!
MiserableFloridaVol writes:
Not a fan of this kind of article for college athletes. Leave the grades for coaches, teams, and finals. College Basketball is a team game.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
now just what reason is there to hate hansrough?-------why is there a need on our boards to have to hate great players likehardworking , wholesome guys like hansbrough and tebow just cause they play for other teams-
MidTennVol writes:
Bad idea with these silly grades, Griff. Just give us your take without the circus nonsense. Opens up a Pandora's Box of posts arguing with the grades.
Most of us out here respect your views and knowledge of the game. Just stick with that, please.
BIGEJ writes:
KNS grade; cannot be given; just a bunch of sports "journalists' "opinion; and opinions vary.....smell....you get the picture..
GO VOLS
xvolx writes:
these grades appear accurate. what you're saying is this team will lose in the first round of playoffs if it doesnt improve. if they improve one grade, will reach sweet 16 and if they improve 2 grades will reach final 4. they better get to work.
givehim6 writes:
Could'nt said it better myself about the writers. I mean were these people coaches one day and suddenly find there was more $$ in wrighing? Listen to coach Pearl guys. GO VOLS
eduardo writes:
Kenlucky lost again!!!!!!!!!!!nuff said!
richvol writes:
Throw out the grades but what you observe about the defense is true.
Chism must assert himself...Maze should drive more...Tabb is doing very well from what I can tell but has to improve FT'S.
The lack of movement and flow and effectiveness in the half-court offense is this team's weakness. Typically very athletic teams struggle with the discipline it takes to be a quality half-court team. I love the run and gun but you must be able to play both very well if you desire to win the NCAA. A run and gun team is terribly out of sync in a half-court tempo dictated by a team that is great at it.
Jerry Green had some tremendous talent but could not win against discliplined teams for this very reason. I know coach Pearl can teach so the only thing left to see is if the players will listen and learn.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I don't understand the criticism of--well, which is it?--Grif's specific grades, the idea of grading players, or just what. For one thing, I would bet Grif has talked to more of the players, and seen more of them playing and practicing than most of us have. One might disagree with any particular player's grade, but does anyone think any of them were completely wrong? People were on here every day in football season crushing Crompton, Foster, Rogers, and any number of other players--are basketball players immune from analysis and criticism, informed or not? Many of us discuss aspects of players' performance all the time; why object if Grif decides to structure his analysis in the form of grades? If you disagree with his grades--and I largely do not--then provide your own. Otherwise, continue, as "Linda Richman" (Mike Myers) used to say on SNL, to "discuss among yourselves".
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I have not personally heard it announced, but it seems that he is being red-shirted. Hard to see how he could get any playing time anyway unless he was already a monster.
Orangeblood13 writes:
bleh
How bout some real grades. I love to read about these so called sports writers that have never played a sport in their lives, grade actual atheletes that do.
get some real grades from the coach and let us see what he believes. This team is young and they will find themselves down the road.
rab63 writes:
What's the deal with Childress? Is he ever going to come back? I remember last year he could shoot the three or with his size he could go inside and battle for rebounds. If nothing else he could give our big guys a few minutes rest and he does give us five more fouls to use. I think he got hurt in the Pilot Rocky Top league and that's the last I've heard of him. I do see him sitting on the bench in his warmups but no word from Pearl on what's going on. Does anyone else know what's gong on?
murrayvol writes:
While Gonzaga is clearly a better team, they don't have the upside of these Vols.
There is the matter of getting there by March.
murrayvol writes:
The redshirt is being pressed even as we speak.
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
I love this kind of stuff - ignore the complainers unless they are debating the grade itself and not the idea. Thanks, Griff.
1vavolfan writes:
I'm a season ticket holder and I am more impressed with this years team.We have alot better athletes and can actually rebound this year. We had a big rebounding margin against Georgetown and Gonzaga, something that would not have happened last year. UT has been competitive in every game so far, anyone remember the Texas game early last season?This team will only get better as the Freshman improve and learn the offense.
Volumni writes:
Good grief! Chism has played one good game, Hopson one good half, Maze is not being used as a point guard, and Cameron Tatum got hot in the second half of one game. Tyler Smith is absolutely carrying this team. Our Freshman are attrocious!!!!!!!
If Bruce thinks this is "roll the ball out" time, he's wrong. Chism is a Head case, Prince is the T.O. of College Basketball, and yet Pearl seems to not want to put the Dane Bradshaws of this team, Maze and Tatum, on the floor with too much responsibility. I am worried about this team folks. We have zero offense other than transition, and our defense sucks!
We better get it together quick, or we're a #12 seed.
thevoice writes:
Griff, I usually like your stuff. But this one is quite over the line. I'd rather see grades for rebounding, free throws, assist/TO ratio, post play, point guard play, chemistry, coaching, 3-pt shooting, defensive hustle, etc. You don't publish grades for individual kids. These are not men, they're kids. And they, like any other kid, will respond like kids. Why don't you write and let Pearl do the individual evaluating? Don't expect a X-mas card from Pearl.
volbballfan writes:
i do not agree at all with Tabb's grade. i agree he needs to solve his free throw issue, however he does alot of little things. you cannot tell me that JP or Chism is having a better year than Tabb. Both JP and Chism are turnovers waiting to happen.
MidTennVol writes:
I'm up north. Been watching/listening to the Vols via the web since 1999 over here.
Yahoo sports was my old standby, offering mostly audio but very rarely streaming video as well.
www.utsports.com usually has free audio for all hoops/FB games. ESPN360 now offers games to watch online (for a fee of course). Thanks to ESPN360, I was able to see a few games this season online for the very first time. (Usually, I get to see maybe one game per season online.)
But now I'm hearing about this SlingBox thing and that seems to be the way to go. I haven't tried it myself.
Good luck. BTW, I am the unofficial, self-appointed head of recruiting for UR basketball and football in Denmark. Lemme know if you run across any 150-kilo guys in CPH who can run a 4.6 or better.
Colliervol writes:
Given all the new players, I think they are ahead of schedule and have been better than I thought they would be. I felt they would lose a game or two as they progressed but would round into shape by January and really hit their stride by March. But Maze has been better than I thought he'd be and the freshmen are contributing more than I thought they would this early. I would like to see Chism and Williams more consistent on the inside. Sometimes they look like world beaters and the next minute they seem lost.
overatedvols writes:
"Grading the Vols after 7 games"
Sorry but shouldn't that read 2 games and 5 practice drills.
For all of you who have been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting, yes the Tigers return to action this Saturday. They'll be playing Georgetown at Georgetown in a nationally televised game on CBS. Not quite the magnitude of last years matchup of number 4 Georgetown vs number 2 Memphis it still should be a good game as Georgetown looks for revenge and Memphis continues to try and figure things out this season. Tigers have made a few lineup changes since the last game and freshmen Wesley Witherspoon will be starting at point guard. They have also added a player to the team as Matt Simpkins was finally cleared by the NCAA. He's way behind and not sure if he'll see any minutes in this game.
Saturdays game will be the first game of CBS's college basketball coverage this year and will be game one of a double header on CBS. Game 2 will feature Indiana vs Kentucky. That's right, they are kicking the season off with 4 of the biggest names in college basketball.
overatedvols writes:
Oh, I forgot to add, Tigers in a blowout Jan. 24th.
drone#208075 writes:
Georgetown will win.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
There is absolutely NO WAY CBP ever thought this year would be "'roll the ball out' time"! This is the time of year when he figures out exactly who can do what in which combinations, with SIX practically new players. He has said repeatedly that this year's team is a work in progress. So far, I would have to say that the work is progressing nicely and the best is yet to come.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
BTW, that Saturday game between UK and Indiana will have all the thrill and national impact of a football game between those two. What a farce!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Also, there may well be a blowout at TBA on Jan. 24, but UT will definitely NOT be the "blowee"(;-P)!
KENVOL writes:
So how bad should we spank ya'll this time? Some people never learn. Tenn. ownes Memphis.
trollhunter writes:
Oh, I forgot, prepare to get a whoopin!!!
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
C- is the norm....
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